Organizers broke ground last week on a big overhaul to one of the west side's favorite playgrounds, the Chelsea Waterside Play Area. The park, nestled between the West Side Highway and 11th Avenue on 23rd Street, is beloved for its expansive and colorful water park features in the summer, and multiple sections of year-round jungle gym equipment, swings, and sandbox.

We reviewed it not long after it opened seven years ago, but since then it's seen "enthusiastic wear and tear," and some sections had even been closed for repair, according to the local organizations that manage the park, the Hudson River Trust and Friends of Hudson River Park. After raising $3.4 million dollars for a "complete renovation and expansion," the groups, in partnership with NYC city officials, broke ground for the revamp on Wednesday, October 3. Scroll down to read all about the impressive new features.

There’s something about miniature things that draws the eye of both kids and grown-ups. Perhaps that’s why parents, toddlers and preteens alike are found peering into the windows of the 10 mini houses that make up the annual Dickens Village hosted in downtown Maplewood, New Jersey each holiday season for more than 50 years.

Each of the 10 houses, measuring over 6-feet tall, are decorated with holiday scenes from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and are lit with pretty candles and bedecked in wreaths and other seasonal décor.

You’ll find faux fireplaces, a nutcracker, Santa, of course, and an entire house filled with vintage children’s toys. The windows are low enough for even my 1-year-old to look into. I was surprised by how enthralled he and his preschool sister were with the whole thing. Several preteens zipped through the village with us, oohing and ahhing over the scene: “My favorite is the candy cane one! You can fit a bed in here!”

Finally. It’s what we’ve all been waiting for. We have on our booties and flannel. We have been sipping our PSLs for days (weeks.) We are ready. And now, the season’s main event has finally begun and we couldn’t be more excited. It’s leaf peeping season and us New Englanders, well, we live for this kind of stuff. It’s just part of our DNA. (That and Pumpkin Spice) We’ve rounded up some of our favorite routes throughout the state with optimal leaf peeping views for your enjoyment. And, be sure to check out our CT Halloween & Fall Fun Guide for Kids.

OK, you've found the perfect pumpkin - now what to wear? Most costume shoppers can sniff out the nearest Walgreens, Aahs, or even seasonal pop-up Halloween store without guidance. A mask and cape from one of these might well serve the needs of your household's trick-or-treaters, but if something a little extra special is required – or if you're just wanting to be inspired – try one of these year-round, long-time costume specialists.

Halloween is such an exciting time for Philly kids. Games of make-believe come to life when kids dress as their favorite superhero, princess, or storybook character. And, whether you spent weeks creating a Pinterest-worthy costume out of recycled materials or you purchased the perfect outfit from a local shop, Philly parents are glad to know there are many free events for their kids to wear their latest Halloween gear.

Mommy Poppins Philadelphia has rounded up some free fun for everyone in the family. From parades to mall events to pumpkin patches, young ones and older kids alike can savor all the sweetness of this candy-filled season. Many of these activities distribute treats and most encourage kids to wear costumes which is sure to delight the little pirates, monsters, or fairies in your crew. Be sure to browse through our event calendar for a multitude of delightfully spooky activities. For now, continue reading to find free Halloween fun!

If you have never been inside a corn maze, imagine entering a twisting, winding dirt-paved series of paths cutting through a giant field of corn stalks. Should you go left, right, or straight ahead? Remember, only the right decision will get you out of the maze. Now, try navigating through the maze at night time amid sounds of rustling cornstalks and shadows along the path. Spooky, right? Check out our roundup of flashlight corn mazes throughout the state for some spooktacular fun. And, for more autumnal adventures, check out our Fall and Halloween guides. 

Celebrate a birthday by battling the undead in a zombie apocalypse. Spend the school break brewing potions in the Mages' Guild. Cap the school day with an epic afternoon NERF battle. These fantastic adventures are 100% reality at Guard Up, a local spot in Burlington and Waltham, Massachusetts, offering weekly classes, summer camps, birthday parties, and school holiday camps for ages 4 and up.

As magical as Guard Up may seem, the real wizardry is that the carefully developed programs actually teach creative problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, and yes, even STEM, all through gamified adventures kids will love. And that's just the tip of the iceberg; the more you hear about Guard Up the cooler it sounds.

Lucky for us that we live in a world with Octobers, particularly in Connecticut. Columbus Day falls during one of the loveliest times of the year bringing crisp autumn days filled with all things us New Englanders love best: pumpkin everything, cider donuts and some pretty stellar leaf peeping.  Columbus Day offers a great excuse for the playground or event digging in the sand and looking for seashells at the beach. Whether you're in the mood for aviation history, sharks or jellyfish, tigers or sloths, Renaissance masterpieces, testing your agility or your taste buds, or a scenic drive, you will likely find something for everyone on our list of recommendations. Here, in no particular order, are plenty of ways to spend a Monday off from school.